Argentina has officially lifted its 12-year ban on away fans in domestic football. The AFA will begin with a controlled rollout during Matchday 2 of the Torneo Clausura.
Excerpt: The AFA has ended its 12-year ban on away fans in Argentine domestic football, starting a controlled return this weekend with two high-profile fixtures featuring Di María and River Plate.
In a move that signals a major shift in Argentine football, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has officially lifted its 12-year ban on away fans at domestic league matches. The new policy begins with a carefully controlled rollout this weekend, starting with two high-profile fixtures on Matchday 2 of the 2025 Torneo Clausura.
Since 2013, matches in Argentina’s top flight have been closed to visiting supporters, a restriction born from escalating violence and several tragic fan-related incidents. That ban is now coming to an end. The AFA confirmed that two matches—Lanús vs. Rosario Central and Instituto vs. River Plate—will serve as the first trials for a phased reintroduction of away fans.
AFA president Claudio Tapia described the decision as “a very important day for Argentine football,” calling it “the beginning of a new chapter.”
“Clubs that are prepared will be able to welcome away fans once again, and this weekend we’re conducting our first test,” Tapia announced.
“There are supporters who want to see Di María—the player who scored some of our national team’s most iconic goals.”
The restriction on away supporters was first implemented in 2013, after a series of violent clashes and crowd control disasters. Key incidents included:
- The death of two Boca Juniors fans in a clash with San Lorenzo supporters.
- A fatal incident during Estudiantes vs. Lanús, where a fan was killed.
Authorities responded by instituting a nationwide ban on away fans—a drastic but necessary measure to prevent further tragedy in stadiums known for their intensity.
This weekend marks a symbolic and logistical turning point. In a limited re-entry pilot, two matches have been selected:
- 🟥 Lanús vs. Rosario Central – where Ángel Di María is set to make his highly anticipated return to Argentine football.
- ⚪ Instituto vs. River Plate – giving fans a chance to support River and national team heroes like Franco Armani and Gonzalo Montiel on the road.
Officials will monitor crowd behavior, security protocols, and stadium readiness before expanding the policy to more fixtures.
Argentina’s domestic league has seen a steady influx of national team stars returning home in recent years. Key players from the 2022 World Cup-winning squad now feature prominently in the local scene:
- Ángel Di María – Rosario Central
- Leandro Paredes – Boca Juniors
- Franco Armani, Gonzalo Montiel, Germán Pezzella, Marcos Acuña – River Plate
Their presence has reignited fan interest and brought fresh attention to Argentine football, further motivating the AFA to restore a fuller matchday experience.
- Away fan attendance is still subject to local approval: clubs must meet safety, infrastructure, and transport standards before welcoming visiting supporters.
- The long-term goal is full reintegration by the end of the 2025 season.
- Di María’s return to Rosario Central is one of the most high-profile homecomings in the league’s modern era.
If this weekend’s trial is deemed successful, the AFA plans to gradually scale up the number of matches allowing away fans. A full evaluation will follow, but for now, Argentine football is embracing the return of one of its most passionate traditions—the traveling hinchada.
